Japan Updates Food Additive Standards under Food Sanitation Act

On 5 November 2024, Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of proposed revisions to food additive standards under the Food Sanitation Act. These updates will establish specifications and standards for rubber and amino acid-sugar reaction product and revise standards for cyclodextrin. The standards provide definitions, descriptions, identification methods, purity and ash or assay content. 

Background  

Under Article 12 of the Food Sanitation Act 1947, designated food additives may be sold as authorized by the Prime Minister. However, Article 13 of the Act establishes specific standards for food additives in accordance with the Ministry of Health and Welfare Public Notice No. 370 of 1959, which prohibits the sale of such additives unless they meet the requirements.  

New Food Additive Standards 

New standards for the following food additives will be established: 

Revised Standards for Cyclodextrin  

Currently, the standards for branched cyclodextrin are limited to powdered products. In addition to powdered products, liquid products will also be subject to revised standards.  

Comment Period and Enforcement Dates  

The 60-day comment period ends on 4 January 2025. The revised standards will take effect 6 months after their official publication in the gazette.